Written: 13th January 2024
Closing in on twenty five years in existence, Poland’s Riverside are amongst the most loved progressive rock bands of them all, having made a significant mark with their combination of rock, metal and ambient elements. They draw acclaim from fans and critics alike and in recent years overcame the untimely death of guitarist Piotr Grudzinksi. With a deeply passionate and dedicated fanbase, it is no surprise that live performances are regularly sold out and it is in this environment the band feel truly at home. Vocalist / bassist Mariusz Duda comments, “I would argue that RIVERSIDE always come across better in concerts than on studio albums. In fact, it’s only during live performances that our songs gain their full potential. What’s more, some song arrangements are much better in live versions than in studio recordings.” Recorded live in the band’s home country at COS Torwar in Warsaw on 1st June 2024, Live ID. features six tracks from the quartet’s most recent album Live I.D.Entity and six from other, previously released albums, thus giving the perfect summary of Riverside’s music both past and present.
Opening the set with #Addicted (complete with extended introduction), what immediately comes across is just how much Riverside are enjoying their time on stage. Duda’s voice is impeccable throughout the album and from the outset, he encourages the audience to be part of the show. It is well known that the band have an excellent relationship with their fans and even on the audio version (Live ID. is also available on Blu-Ray), there is an evident vibrant joy to every performance. #Addicted is an excellent first track and there is indeed more life to it in this environment, taking on a more colourful personality than its studio counterpart. Panic Room (sic) (from 2007’s Rapid Eye Movement) follows with Duda’s irresistible bassline clear and authoritative. Each instrument is clearly audible throughout the album - the production crisp and not overly shimmering. Riverside are masters of the understated use of power without the need to pummel the listener. That is not to say that they do not have their heavier moments and the riff in Panic Room is one that sticks in the mind. Across the album, Maciej Meller is sympathetic to and respectful of the solos of Piotr Grudzinksi, while also putting his own slant and emphasis on certain notes or sections.
Recorded on the tour to promote the I.D.Entity, it makes perfect sense that a good proportion of the concert is devoted to that album. The six tracks are sensibly sprinkled throughout the set in three groups of two. The first pair of Landmine Blast and Big Tech Brother (despite my love for the band, I still think the spoken introduction is unnecessary and slightly cringey) find the band playing a little with the structures of the songs in certain places with small ad-libs and additional flourishes that do not feature on the studio versions. Although I have enjoyed all of their albums, I.D.Entity is possibly their best since Anno Domini High Definition and it is wonderful to hear definitive performances of almost the entire album. Having played on the album (his first studio recordings with the band), Meller thrives within the context of these tracks and his solo moments on Big Tech Brother are vast and commanding, while Michał Łapaj’s keyboards during the track’s final section are nothing short of sensational.
The more contemplative Lost (from Love, Fear and the Time Machine) allows for different atmospheres to descend but Riverside handle each of them with ease, confident but never arrogant in their wealth of ability. They make truly intoxicating music, completely understanding how to build tension and emotion throughout playing that varies from intricate and beautiful, to powerful and emotive. The synergy that flows effortlessly from the quartet is evident; Lost is a masterclass in dynamics and expression with Duda comfortable in his vocal delivery during the quieter, more plaintive sections.
Returning to I.D.Entity, Riverside are now fully in their stride and Post Truth is delivered perfectly as they encapsulate their ability to blend technical proficiency with emotional depth. Longest track on the album, the almost sixteen minute The Place Where I Belong becomes a centrepiece of sorts with the band enjoying the most traditionally progressive track on I.D.Entity. During the song, moments such as the restrained central section appear more highlighted in this incarnation: Łapaj’s bluesy keyboards, Meller’s melancholic guitar and Duda’s bass reminiscent of The Doors and Pink Floyd in their more reflective moments. During the entirety of Live ID., Piotr Kozieradzki has no need to be overly showy, his consistent playing so in synch with what is needed that it is easy to forget just what an excellent drummer he is. Diving back to Anno Domini High Definition with the pulsating, driving Egoist Hedonist, Riverside reminds us they know how to write a good hook but also how to layer textures and atmospheres. From sweeping synth lines to infectious solos to compelling, precise rhythmic structures, there is a relentless energy that flows throughout the song.
After a resplendent rendition of Friend or Foe (surely one of the catchiest songs in Riverside’s arsenal) and the effervescent Self-Aware, the concert ends with the band returning to one of their best tracks, the haunting Conceiving You. The exquisite opening piano melody sets an initially sombre tone before Duda’s vocals are delivered with a raw, almost fragile quality that complements the lyrical theme of longing. Maciej Meller’s solo during the first few minutes is beautiful and as the song moves into its more macabre and dolorous section, the mood of the track is completely captured due to the excellent production values of the album. In this incarnation, Conceiving You is extended to eleven and a half minutes, Riverside allowing time to immerse themselves and the audience in the heart of the track. An ethereal interlude finds Duda interacting with the audience asking them to conjure dark, whispering auras before the track spectacularly ignites for its final minute. A true highlight of the album.
Riverside clearly pride themselves on exemplary live shows and Duda truly believes that it reveals something intangible about the band. “There are a lot of nuances, quirks, and, above all, explanations of what Riverside’s music is all about. That’s why Live ID. is not just an ordinary live album. It’s an album that reveals the band’s true identity.”
With half of the concert coming from Riverside’s most recent album, fans will find that their enjoyment of this performance may be related to how much they enjoy those particular tracks – not a problem here as I.D.Entity made number seven in my list of favourite of albums of 2023. However, new life is breathed into each and every track here and the selection of songs from older albums makes this a well-balanced and well structured live set. Live ID stands as reminder of the power of live performance and the unique connection between a band and its audience. Riverside has managed to capture this connection in a way that is both authentic and moving, and illustrates why they are held in such high esteem. Essential listening for fans of progressive rock.
Live ID. is released on 24th January 2024
RIVERSIDE online:
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